Frank Seravalli

Daily News Staff Writer

Two weeks ago, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said that Brian Boucher’s season was likely over.

Boucher left Game 5 in Boston with MCL sprains in both his right and left knees – and he needed help to be carried off the ice. At that point, the Flyers trailed the Bruins, 3-2, in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Now, Boucher is back practicing with the Flyers – his fourth or fifth time skating since the injury – with hopes that he will be in uniform on Saturday in Chicago for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

“Nobody told me that the season was over for me,” Boucher said. “It wasn’t like I didn’t think I had a chance. I guess this is about where I thought I’d be. For me, I just wanted to work – and there were some hurdles I needed to get over to get to this point.

Poll

Which goalie has the edge in the Stanley Cup Finals?

Michael Leighton (6-1, 1.45 goals-against average in playoffs)

Antti Niemi (12-4, 2.33 GAA)

“Knock on wood, there weren’t any setbacks. So it’s nice to be around the guys again.”

Boucher said there is a chance he could be ready to backup Michael Leighton on Saturday.

“I think there is a chance, yeah,” Boucher said. “I think today was a day to get through, and it went very well. My goal is to be good enough to go for Game 1 and help in any way.”

Since returning to the ice, he’s had to overcome the mental anxiety of re-injuring himself and dealing with the pain at the same time – which doctors said will linger for “at least another month,” Boucher said.

“It’s very methodical. You’ve got to think about your movements. You don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you might hurt yourself. Today, there was less thinking and it was more just about stopping the puck and moving in situations where I would in a game.”

Boucher was 6-4 for the Flyers in the playoffs this year with a 2.33 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.